DANIEL KRAMER (1933-2024)
We are honored to continue the legacy of the late Daniel Kramer, a remarkable artist and dear friend, whose passion and talent left an indelible mark on the world of photography.
Daniel was not only a master photographer but also an expert in photo printing, developing his early works in his own darkroom, showcasing his unmatched skill.
While Daniel’s collaboration with Bob Dylan in the early 1960s brought him widespread recognition, his creative journey extended far beyond.
His entire body of work, previously unpublished per his wishes, is an extraordinary collection of photography that we at The Music Photo Gallery are privileged to unveil. We are dedicated to preserving and sharing his legacy, ensuring his contributions to the art world endure for generations to come.
In collaboration with Daniel’s family, we will safeguard his place in the history of photography, ensuring his work continues to inspire and captivate.
Born in 1932 in Brooklyn, Daniel was a self-taught photographer who apprenticed with Philippe Halsman and Allan and Diane Arbus before gaining international recognition on his own. In addition to his iconic photographs of Dylan, Daniel captured some of the most influential figures in music, sports, and entertainment, including Janis Joplin, Judy Collins, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, John Hammond, Pete Seeger, Gordon Lightfoot, Mike Bloomfield, Joe Frazier, Mario Puzo, Norman Mailer, and David Letterman. His creativity also extended to film, where he directed several documentaries.
Since 2020, The Music Photo Gallery has proudly represented Daniel Kramer’s vintage archive, first showcasing his works at Photo London in 2021. We remain committed to preserving his artistic legacy and sharing it with the world.
"Here, Bob and I are having a shootout in March of 1965. He’s taking a shot of me with a very important camera. It’s the same one you see in the background of the cover of Highway 61. It’s a 35mm Range Finder Nikon. No one asked him to shoot me. Bob just liked the camera and he was very playful."
Daniel Kramer
The Vintage Prints Archive
Sebastian Alderete, Director of TMPG, had the distinguished honor and privilege of collaborating with Daniel Kramer in his New York studio, meticulously organizing the photographer's extensive archive of vintage prints for the first time in Kramer's illustrious career.
After many intensive days spent with the artist, we were excited to unveil a treasure that had been carefully safeguarded for decades.
A curated selection of this remarkable collection was showcased at the Photo London Photography Fair. Additionally, several pieces from this extraordinary catalog have been acquired by one of the most prestigious Bob Dylan Photography Collections in Europe, while a significant portion of the archive remains in the hands of our gallery.
Daniel Kramer Studio
New York City. September, 2021
The vintage archive is componed by Gelatin Silver Prints in different sizes:
5x7" - 8x10" - 11x14" and 16x20"
Some of these images has never been published, exhibited or shared. Some of the artworks are unique pieces with no vintage copies.
Most of the prints have stamps from those years (1960's) and photographer's handwritings on verso.
Unique & Very Rare Vintage Prints
DANIEL KRAMER
Bob Dylan with Raised Arms at "Bringing it All Back Home" Recording Session, New York, 1965
Very Rare Vintage Piece
Gelatin Silver Print
Size 11 x 14 inch
Signed and noted by the artist on verso
DANIEL KRAMER
Bob Dylan with Top Hat Pointing in Car, Philadelphia, 1964
Gelatin Silver Print
Size: 16x20 inch
Signed by the artist on verso
DANIEL KRAMER
Bob Dylan and Joan Baez with Protest Sign, Newark Airport, 1964
Gelatin Silver Print
Size: 20x30 inch
Unique (Copy 1 of 1)
Album Cover
This is one of the shots I’ve been sitting on for 50 years. It has never been seen before. I wanted the shot to express the fact that Bob Dylan was about to change. He’s not the guy in the leather jacket any more. Now, he’s the guy in the dark sport blazer wearing nice cufflinks. There’s no guitar in the shot because I saw him not as any one kind of performer but as a prince of music. I had been in the sessions for the album, so I knew now who he was musically. The photo was shot in Albert Grossman’s house. The room was the original kitchen of this house that’s a couple hundred years old. The fireplace is big enough to cook in. The divan, which was multicolored, was a gift from Mary Travers, of Peter Paul and Mary, to Albert and his wife, Sally, for their wedding. Bob contributed to the picture the magazines he was reading and albums he was listening to. Bob wanted Sally to be in the photo because, well, look at her! She chose the red outfit.
Printed Later & Limited Edition
Selected Artworks
Bob Dylan "A year in a Day"
Book published by Taschen
Daniel Kramer’s classic Bob Dylan portfolio captures the artist’s transformative “big bang” year of 1964–65. Through vast concert halls, intimate recording sessions, and the infamous transition to electric guitar, nearly 200 images offer one of the most mesmerizing photographic series on any recording artist and a stunning document of Dylan and rock ’n’ roll history.
Selected Media
One of France’s most prominent publications, Les Echos, has featured The Music Photo Gallery in an in-depth article highlighting the gallery’s work in curating part of the largest private collection of vintage Bob Dylan photography in Europe. The piece explores how this extraordinary collection showcases rare and iconic images from the legendary musician’s career, providing a unique perspective on Dylan’s indelible mark on the history of musical photography.
"The brilliant performer of Blonde on Blonde and so many other masterpieces hates being photographed. However, thanks to an extraordinary private collection, we discover how he will also leave his mark on the history of musical photography, presented at Paris Photo with the Music Photo Gallery."
By Henri Gibier
Nov-7th, 2022